Water hardness in Maricá
15 mg/L soft
Tap water in Maricá is soft: 15 mg/L (0.9 gpg · 0.9 °dH · 1.5 °fH).
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Aguas Do Rio 1 Spe Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 15–16 mg/L.
Maricá is served by a private concessionaire in the former Cedae area of Rio de Janeiro state, and the sources checked do not name its intake. Records for 2026 give a median of 15.2 mg/L CaCO₃, with individual results from 14.5 to 15.9 mg/L. Scale on kettles and taps is unlikely; soft water also rinses soap slowly, so dose detergent and shampoo sparingly.
Portaria GM/MS nº 888/2021 sets a maximum of 300 mg/L CaCO₃ for total hardness (dureza total); operators report it in mg/L to SISAGUA.
Water data
| Total hardness | 15 mg/L |
|---|---|
| Utility | Aguas Do Rio 1 Spe Sa |
How Maricá compares
- Tap water in Maricá is 64 % softer than the median of the 1915 cities we track in Brazil (43 mg/L).
- By hardness it ranks 1685 of 1915 in Brazil (1 = hardest); 12 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Rio de Janeiro it is number 21 of 44 cities; the regional median is 14 mg/L.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Tanguá, 17 km away (11 mg/L).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Saquarema, 27 km away (20 mg/L).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in Brazil →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Maricá
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Maricá water hard or soft?
It is soft: 15 mg/L as CaCO₃ (0.9 gpg, 0.9 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Maricá safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. Portaria GM/MS nº 888/2021 sets a maximum of 300 mg/L CaCO₃ for total hardness (dureza total); operators report it in mg/L to SISAGUA.
How many grains per gallon is Maricá water?
0.9 gpg, equal to 0.9 °dH, 1.5 °fH or 15 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Maricá?
For 15 mg/L (0.9 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Maricá?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Aguas Do Rio 1 Spe Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 (2026). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Ministério da Saúde, SISAGUA – controle semestral (Aguas Do Rio 1 Spe Sa), CC BY-ND 3.0 · Outdated figure? Tell us